By CAROLINE WAFULA

In Summary

To show the seriousness behind the National Treasury’s request to pay the controversial debts, a Speaker’s Kamukunji will be convened this morning to lobby MPs to support the report. Last night, intense lobbying was already under way.

Yesterday, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Solicitor-General Njee Muturi attended a joint committee sitting where he explained why the government must pay the money.

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Two parliamentary committees have recommended payment of Sh1.4 billion to two companies for Anglo-Leasing related projects.

The House teams said this is to avoid the risk of Kenya’s property abroad being attached.

The Budget and Appropriations Committee and its counterpart on Finance and Trade appeared to agree with Attorney-General Githu Muigai on the payments in the face of accrued interest in their report tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

To show the seriousness behind the National Treasury’s request to pay the controversial debts, a Speaker’s Kamukunji will be convened this morning to lobby MPs to support the report. Last night, intense lobbying was already under way.

The report on the Treasury’s request for parliamentary approval for payment of the money awarded by two courts in December is expected to generate heated debate in the National Assembly.

Although the two committees have recommended payment of the money, several MPs have openly opposed the proposals, expressing fear it could create an opening for similar demands in future.